1622.0 Non-Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems, Interior. 1622.1 General. With the approval of the Authority Having
Jurisdiction, the provisions of this section shall apply to the installation, construction, alteration, and repair of rainwater catchments systems intended to supply uses such as water
closets, urinals, trap primers for floor drains and floor sinks, and other uses approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Note: Additional design criteria can be found in the ARCSA/ASPE
Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard. Additional requirements can be found in other sections of this Code.
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1622.2 Plumbing Plan Submission. No permit for any rainwater catchment system requiring a permit shall be issued until
complete plumbing plans, with appropriate data satisfactory to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, have been submitted and
approved. No changes or connections shall be made to either the rainfall catchment or the potable water system within any site containing a rainfall catchment water system without approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1622.3 Reserved.
1622.4 Connections to Potable or Reclaimed (Recycled) Water
Systems. Rainwater catchment systems shall have no direct
connection to any potable water supply or alternate water source system. Potable or reclaimed (recycled) water is permitted to be used as makeup water for a rainwater catchment system provided the potable or reclaimed (recycled) water supply connection is protected by a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer complying with the plumbing code.
1622.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. Where any portion of a rainwater catchment system is installed by a licensed plumber within a building, a cross-connection test is required in
accordance with 1622.12.2. Before the building may be occupied, or the system is activated the installer shall perform the
initial cross-connection test in the presence of a licensed plumber with a current backflow tester certification. The test shall be certified successful to the Authority Having
Jurisdiction before final approval is granted.
1622.6 Sizing. Rainfall catchment system distribution piping for indoor applications shall be sized as outlined in this code for sizing potable water piping. The design and size of rainwater drains, gutters, conductors, and leaders shall comply with the plumbing code.
1622.7 Reserved.
1622.8 Rainfall Catchment System Materials. Rainfall catchment system materials shall comply with Section 1622.8.1 and Section 1622.8.4.
1622.8.1 Water Supply and Distribution Materials. Rainwater catchment water supply and distribution materials shall comply with the requirements of the plumbing code for potable water supply and distribution systems, unless otherwise provided for in this section.
1622.8.2 All materials used in rainwater catchment drainage systems, including gutters, downspouts, conductors, and leaders shall comply with the requirements of the plumbing code for storm drainage.
1622.8.3 Storage Tanks. Rainwater storage tanks shall comply with Section 1622.10.6.
1622.8.4 Collections Surfaces. The collection surface shall be constructed of a hard, impervious material.
1622.9 Rainwater Catchment Water System Color and Marking
Information. Rainwater catchment systems shall have a colored
background in accordance with the plumbing code. Rainwater catchment systems shall be marked with the words “CAUTION: NON-
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POTABLE RAINWATER WATER, DO NOT DRINK” in lettering in accordance with the plumbing code.
1622.10 Design and Installation.
1622.10.1 With the approval of the Authority Having
Jurisdiction, outside hose bibbs shall be allowed on rainwater piping systems. Hose bibbs supplying rainwater shall be marked with the words “CAUTION: NON-POTABLE WATER, DO NOT DRINK”. 1622.10.2 Deactivation and Drainage for Cross Connection Test. The rainwater catchment system and the potable water system within the building shall be provided with the required
appurtenances (valves, air/vacuum relief valves, etc.) to allow for deactivation or drainage as required for cross connection test in Section 1622.13.2.
1622.10.3 Collection Surfaces. Rainwater shall only be collected from roof surfaces. Rainwater catchment system shall not collect rainwater from:
1. Vehicular parking surfaces; 2. Surface water runoff; or 3. Bodies of standing water.
1622.10.3.1 Prohibited Discharges. Overflows and bleed-off pipes from roof-mounted equipment and appliances shall not discharge onto roof surfaces that are intended to collect rainwater. 1622.10.4 Minimum Water Quality. The minimum water quality for harvested rainwater shall meet the applicable water quality requirements for the intended applications as determined by the public health Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1622.10.5 Reserved.
1622.10.6 Rainwater Storage Tanks.
Rainwater storage tanks shall be constructed and installed in accordance with Sections 1622.10.6.1 through 1622.10.6.7.
1622.10.6.1 Construction. Rainwater storage shall be constructed of solid, durable materials not subject to excessive corrosion or decay and shall be watertight. Storage tanks shall be
approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction provided such tanks comply with approved applicable standards.
1622.10.6.2 Location. Rainwater storage tanks shall be permitted to be installed above or below grade.
1622.10.6.3 Above Grade. Above grade storage tanks shall be of an opaque material, approved for above-ground use in direct sunlight or shall be shielded from direct sunlight. Tanks shall be installed in an accessible location to allow for inspection and cleaning. The tank shall be installed on a foundation or platform that is constructed to accommodate all loads in accordance with the building code.
1622.10.6.4 Below Grade. Rainwater storage tanks installed below grade shall be structurally designed to withstand all
anticipated earth or other loads. All holding tank covers shall be capable of supporting an earth load of not less than three hundred (300) pounds per square foot (1464.6 kg/m2) when the
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tank is designed for underground installation. Below grade rainwater tanks installed underground shall be provided with manholes. The manhole opening, large enough to provide access, shall be located a minimum of 4 inches above the surrounding grade. The surrounding grade shall be sloped away from the manhole. Underground tanks shall be ballasted, anchored, or otherwise secured, to prevent the tank from floating out of the ground when empty. The combined weight of the tank and hold down system should meet or exceed the buoyancy force of the tank. 1622.10.6.5 Drainage and Overflow. All rainwater storage tanks shall be provided with a means of draining and cleaning. The overflow drain shall not be equipped with a shutoff valve. The overflow outlet shall discharge as required by the plumbing code for storm drainage systems. Where discharging to the storm
drainage system, the overflow drain shall be protected from backflow of the storm drainage system by a backwater valve or other approved method.
1622.10.6.5.1 Overflow Outlet Size. The overflow outlet shall be sized to accommodate the flow of the rainwater entering the tank and not less than the aggregate cross-sectional area of all
inflow pipes.
1622.10.6.6 Opening and Access Protection.
1622.10.6.6.1 Animals and Insects. All rainwater tank openings shall be protected to prevent the entrance of insects, birds or rodents into the tank.
1622.10.6.6.2 Human Access. Rainwater tank access openings exceeding 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter shall be secured to prevent tampering and unintended entry by either a lockable device or other approved method.
1622.10.6.7 Marking. Rainwater tanks shall be permanently marked with the capacity and the language: “NON-POTABLE RAINWATER.” Where openings are provided to allow a person to enter the tank, the opening shall be marked with the following language:
“DANGER- CONFINED SPACE”.
1622.10.7 Pumps. All pumps serving rainwater catchment systems shall be listed. All pumps supplying water to water closets, urinals, trap primers shall be capable of delivering a minimum (15) pounds per square inch (103.4 kPa) residual pressure at the highest and most remote outlet served. Where the water pressure in rainwater supply system within the building exceeds (80) pounds per square inch (552 kPa), a pressure reducing valve reducing the pressure to (80) pounds per square inch (552 kPa) or less to all water outlets in the building shall be installed in accordance with the plumbing code.
1622.10.8 Roof Drains. Primary and secondary roof drains,
conductors, leaders, and gutters shall be designed and installed as required by the plumbing code.
1622.10.9 Water Quality Devices and Equipment. Devices and
equipment used to treat rainwater to maintain the minimum water quality requirements determined by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction shall be listed or labeled (third-party certified) by a listing agency (accredited conformity assessment body) and approved for the intended application.
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1622.10.10 Freeze Protection. All tanks and piping installed in locations subject to freezing shall be provided with an adequate means of freeze protection.
1622.10.11 Debris Removal. The rainwater catchment conveyance system shall be equipped with a debris excluder or other
approved means to prevent the accumulation of leaves, needles, other debris and sediment from entering the storage tank. All devices or methods used to remove debris or sediment shall be accessible.
1622.10.12 Required Filters. A filter permitting the passage of particulates no larger than one-hundred (100) microns shall be provided for rainwater supplied to water closets, urinals, trap primers, and drip irrigation system.
1622.10.13 Roof Gutters. Gutters shall maintain a minimum slope and be sized in accordance with the plumbing code.
1622.11 Signs. Signs in buildings using rainwater water shall comply with Section 1622.11.1 and 1622.11.2.
1622.11.1 Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Restroom
Signs. A sign shall be installed in all restrooms in commercial,
industrial, and institutional occupancies using non-potable rainwater for water closets and/or urinals. Each sign shall contain one half (1/2) inch (12.7 mm) letters of a highly
visible color on a contrasting background. The location of the sign(s) shall be such that the sign(s) shall be visible to all users. The number and location of the signs shall be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and shall contain the
following text:
TO CONSERVE WATER, THIS BUILDING USES RAINWATER TO FLUSH TOILETS AND URINALS.
1622.11.2 Equipment Room Signs. Each equipment room containing non-potable rainwater equipment shall have a sign posted with the following wording in one (1) inch (25.4 mm) letters on an ORANGE background:
CAUTION NON-POTABLE RAINWATER, DO NOT DRINK. DO NOT CONNECT TO DRINKING WATER SYSTEM. NOTICE: OBTAIN A PLUMBING PERMIT BEFORE PERFORMING ANY WORK ON THIS WATER SYSTEM.
This sign shall be posted in a location that is visible to anyone working on or near rainwater water equipment.
1622.12 Inspection and Testing. Rainwater catchment systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with 1622.12.1 through 1622.12.3
1622.12.1 Supply System Inspection and Test. Rainwater catchment systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the applicable provisions of the plumbing code for testing of potable water and storm drainage systems.
1622.12.2 Annual Cross-Connection Inspection and Testing. An initial and subsequent annual inspection and test required by Section 1622.5 shall be performed on both the potable and rainfall catchment water systems by licensed plumbers with a current backflow tester certification. The potable and rainfall catchment water system shall be isolated from each other and
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independently inspected and tested to ensure there is no cross connection in accordance with 1622.12.2.1 through 1622.12.2.4. 1622.12.2.1 Visual System Inspection. Prior to commencing the cross-connection testing, a dual system inspection shall be conducted by the licensed plumber holding a current backflow tester certification.
1. All pumps and equipment, equipment room signs, and exposed piping in equipment room shall be checked.
1622.12.2.2 Cross-Connection Test. The following procedure shall be followed by licensed plumber with a current backflow tester certification to determine whether a cross connection occurred. 1. The potable water system shall be activated and
pressurized. The Rainfall catchment water system shall be shut down and completely drained.
2. The potable water system shall remain pressurized for a minimum period of time specified by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction while the rainfall catchment water system is empty. The minimum period the Rainfall catchment water system is to remain depressurized shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the size and complexity of the
potable and Rainfall catchment water distribution systems, but in no case shall that period be less than one (1)hour.
3. All fixtures, potable and rainwater, shall be tested and inspected for flow. Flow from any Rainfall catchment water
system outlet shall indicate a cross connection. No flow from a potable water outlet would indicate that it may be connected to the rainwater water system.
4. The drain on the Rainfall catchment water system shall be checked for flow during the test and at the end of the period. 5. The potable water system shall then be completely drained. 6. The Rainfall catchment water system shall then be activated and pressurized.
7. The Rainfall catchment water system shall remain
pressurized for a minimum period of time determined on a case- by-case basis, but in no case shall that period be less than one (1) hour.
8. All fixtures, potable and Rainfall catchment, shall be tested and inspected for flow. Flow from any potable water
system outlet shall indicate a cross-connection. No flow from a Rainfall catchment water outlet would indicate that it may be connected to the potable water system.
9. The drain on the potable water system shall be checked for flow during the test and at the end of the period.
10. If there is no flow detected in any of the fixtures which would have indicated a cross connection, the potable water system shall be re-pressurized.
1622.12.2.3 Discovery of Cross-Connection. In the event that a cross-connection is discovered, the following procedure shall be activated immediately by the licensed plumber with a current backflow tester certification:
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1. Rainfall catchment water piping to the building shall be shut down and the rainwater water riser shall be drained.
2. Potable water piping shall be shut down at the entrance to the building.
3. The cross-connection shall be uncovered and disconnected. 4. The building shall be retested following procedures listed in subsections 1622.12.2.1 and 1622.12.2.2 above.
5. The potable water system shall be chlorinated with fifty (50) ppm chlorine for twenty-four (24) hours.
6. The potable water system shall be flushed after twenty-four (24) hours, and a standard bacteriological test shall be
performed. If test results are acceptable, the potable water system may be recharged.
1622.12.2.4 Annual Inspection. An annual inspection of the
Rainfall catchment water system, following the procedures listed in section 1622.12.2.1 shall be required. Annual cross-
connection testing, following the procedures listed in section 1622.12.2.2 shall be required by the Authority Having
Jurisdiction, unless site conditions do not require it. In no event shall the test occur less often than once in four (4) years. Alternate testing requirements may be allowed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
1623.0 Non-Potable Rainwater Catchment Systems, exterior. 1623.1 General. With the approval of the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the provisions of section 1622.0 shall apply to the installation, construction, alteration, and repair of rainwater catchments systems intended to supply uses such as irrigation, industrial processes, water features and other uses approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Note: Additional design criteria can be found in the ARCSA/ASPE
Rainwater Catchment Design and Installation Standard.
Additional requirements can be found in other sections of this Code.
CHAPTER 22
REGULATIONS GOVERNING INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS FOR